Great Britain will enter team if Rugby Sevens gets 2016 Olympic green light

England, Scotland and Wales will unite to form a Great Britain Sevens side for
the 2016 Olympics if the International Rugby Board’s campaign to have the
shortened version of the game is accepted by the International Olympic
Committee next week.

Combined forces: England, Scotland and Wales will play as onePhoto: GETTY IMAGES

By Gavin Mairs

1:48PM BST 30 Sep 2009

IOC will decide on Friday, Oct 9 in Copenhagen whether or not to include Sevens in the 2016 programme, just under two months since the IOC's Executive Board recommended Rugby Sevens and Golf for inclusion, from the seven sports in contention.

And the Rugby Football Union today gave their backing to the proposal for a united GB side to represent England, Scotland and Wales if Sevens' inclusion is given the green light.

“Sevens would be an invaluable addition to the Olympic Games,” said Rob Andrew, the RFU Elite Rugby director. “As proved in the Commonwealth Games, the IRB Sevens World Series and through its own Rugby World Cup, it is a thrilling spectacle that captivates the fans.

“The thought of joining with the other Home Unions to make a team GB is very exciting and, on behalf of the RFU and the Elite Rugby department, I wholeheartedly support the bid to include Sevens rugby for men and women at the 2016 Olympic Games.”

Players from England, Scotland and Rugby World Cup Sevens winners Wales came together recently under the banner of Help for Heroes at the hugely popular Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham.

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It is not yet clear whether Ireland, where Sevens is not as popular as the other home Unions, will enter a team for the Olympics and players born in Northern Ireland, such as Lions flanker Stephen Ferris could technically opt to play for a GB side.

Rugby, like boxing and golf, is however governed on an all-Ireland basis and if the Irish Rugby Football Union were to enter a side, given that the home-based players are all on central contacts, it is likely that any Ulster players would be contractually obliged to represent Ireland.

The RFU, SRU and WRU meanwhile have also decided to form a GB women’s side for 2016.

“The first joint Rugby World Cup Sevens proved a tremendous success and demonstrated how effectively the men's and women's games are developing around the world,” said Nicky Ponsford, the Rugby Football Union for Women's Head of Performance.

“Sevens has become an integral programme for the current elite England Women's squad. The RFUW are fully supportive of the inclusion of Rugby Sevens in the Olympic Games in what would be a hugely exciting opportunity to showcase to the world Rugby Sevens at its exciting, competitive format. The concept of a GB team is extremely motivating.”